Speaking after the case, IT worker Gareth has told how he collared Henderson and Doolan by putting the skills he learned in the military to good use.

Former Army trainer Gareth Gingell made a citizen's arrest.

The 30-year-old, of Cobridge Road, said: "I knew the police just didn't have the resources they used to. I know the area and decided to go out and see what I could find out. I knew that the next 24 hours were the most important."

The first Gareth knew something was wrong was when the police knocked on his door to say his Kia Sorento had been involved in a collision in nearby Century Street.

He checked his security cameras and discovered his house had been broken into three times while he was in bed at 3am, 4am and 5.45am on June 12. Among the items taken included a mountain bike, vacuum cleaner, television, console and £250 cash was stolen.

Gareth, who has previously trained soldiers in personal safety and how to handle public order, spoke to residents and rough sleepers and was able to identify a route the offenders had taken with CCTV showing them fleeing through the neighbourhood.

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His inquiries eventually led him to an alleyway off Portland Street at 4.40pm where he spotted a sock puppet he uses to sooth three-year-old daughter Demi and then a rubbish bag with clothes he believed the offenders had been wearing.

At that moment, Gareth spotted Henderson who he recognised from the CCTV.

While the suspect scarpered after being confronted, he was eventually arrested when Gareth found him hiding in a garden.